Monthly Archives: March 2016

More abundant sunshine over here in Portland! Everyone seems to have more energy and bigger smiles! Love that.

Today, I’m not only smiling because it’s sunny – I’m grinning from ear to ear because I have some juicy news to share with you!

I’m excited to announce that I have the honor of hosting a gorgeous Mixed Media Collage class with the uber talented, Petra Hrziwnatzki!

It’s in production right now but registration will open very SOON! If you want to be the first to know head on over to my site and add your name to the waitlist! You are not going to want to miss this one!

Petra’s work is delicate yet powerful, infused with inspiring words and favorite quotes. Soft colors swirl through the pieces and are perfectly balanced with creamy whites while sparks of pretty collage papers peek through the layers. These dreamy pieces resonate a deep sense of peace and hope.

Petra’s heart is all about uplifting and inspiring others and you can clearly feel that through her artwork.

In this class, she will be walking you through her beautiful process so that you too can create these meaningful and heartfelt mixed media collages!

To see more of Petra’s enchanting work and learn more about this talented artist please visit her lovely site.

Petra and I will see you in class!! Don’t forget to add your name to the waitlist so we can let you know the minute registration opens!

We are bathing in Spring sunlight here in Portland and it makes everyone a little giddy – me included! I’ve been super busy in the studio preparing for new classes and exploring lots of new techniques.

My students have also been busy bees – creating the most gorgeous art! I can’t even express how much joy that brings me! So much joy that I have decided to start sharing these amazing artists with you! I will begin to do periodic Student Spotlight posts so you can witness the talent and beauty emerging from these shining souls!

Janet has been a long time student and Facebook friend. I admired her work immediately and have since, seen her grow and expand her talents in great strides. She has an innate ability to compose lyrical and poetic arrangements. Both her digital and traditional collages beg the viewer to look deeper and wonder at the symbolism and mystery within.

Janet Reid – Hide & Seek no. 5 – Digital Collage

Janet Reid – Papillion – Encaustic Mixed Media Collage

I asked Janet a few questions so you guys can get to know her a little better – a peek into her beautiful mind and creative heart…

What inspires you?

Honestly….everything! I am so lucky to live in a beautiful place–Santa Barbara–and all around me I see color, and texture, and composition just naturally occurring every day. I’m inspired by fellow artists, especially on Instagram. Everyday I check my feed and feel like I’m being bathed in beauty and talent. It’s like artistic nourishment. And I’m inspired by the wonderful teachers I’ve been so fortunate to have recently and all the work I have seen that has been shared in class Facebook pages. Ivy has been an invaluable part of my artistic journey. She is a true inspiration!

Janet Reid – Into – Encaustic Mixed Media Collage

What are you trying to express with your art?

Different things at different times. Sometimes it’s a story or an idea I try to express visually. Other times the art has “a mind of its own” and the concept or message becomes clear to me only after it’s finished or during the process itself. That’s when it feels magical. Being a mixed media artist gives me a lot of freedom to work both abstractly and figuratively and at times to combine the two. What I hope gets expressed is the joy I feel when I am doing it. Right now, my work with encaustic collage is like a dream come true.

Janet Reid – Willful Disobedience – Digital Collage

How do you deal with your inner critic and trust your creative instincts?

Oh, that little voice….usually I can silence her by just continuing. Sometimes, I will hear her say, “Ok, that was a failure,” but I’ve come to almost welcome that point. That’s when I give up trying to make something work and just see what will happen–the “I have nothing to lose” feeling. Many times something even more wonderful comes out of that moment–the giving in. Trusting my instincts has become a learned process. My advice to anyone who struggles with this is to simply keep working, keep creating. Try to do something creative each and every day–a snapshot with your phone or a full blown painting–it doesn’t matter. Just keep looking and seeing.

Janet Reid – Winter Flight – Encaustic Mixed Media collage

(I’m the proud owner of this one! I love seeing it hanging in my studio.)

Janet Reid – Winter – Encaustic Mixed Media Collage

This is only a small sampling of Janet’s stunning work. Please check out her Etsy store! It’s a visual delight! Other places to connect with Janet – Facebook & Instagram (her feed is YUMMY!).

I hope you have enjoyed viewing Janet’s work and stay tuned for more Student Spotlight posts!

Please enjoy this extra day to select your favorite workshops. Remember, all my classes are have lifetime access, are self paced and downloadable! So, even if you are busy with other classes – this is a great opportunity to stock up!

Everywhere flowers are blooming and trees are budding with new life! To celebrate this season of growth – we are discounting our top selling workshops by 30%! Spring is the perfect time to try something NEW!!

For the past couple of days, the sun has been out for us here in Portland and we couldn’t be more pleased! Sunshine, daffodils and pink blossoming trees! Sigh…Spring is almost here!

Along with the flowers, I’ve also been completely delighted by the artwork coming out of the first session of my online Mixed Media workshop – Spirit Horse! Such beautiful expressive work right?! Some of my students are painting horses for the first time! It’s so exciting to see that! Other’s are very experienced equine artists who are allowing themselves to loosen up and joyously paint their hearts out in this new and freeing way!

Check it out! Registration is now open for the second session of this class! Click below to join us!

This class has brought me so much joy, since I for one, had never allowed myself the pleasure of painting horses – why? – because I simply believed I couldn’t do it! I pushed through that limiting belief and painted bold, beautiful horses that made my heart happy!

Here are a few of my pieces! I took the liberty of putting them into beautiful rooms digitally so you could get a feel for them! How gorgeous is this first room by Danielle Oakley? She’s one talented lady!

These three colorful girls I titled -“The Three Graces” – Such a fun and playful piece that I loved creating!

This one is called “Beloved” and is glimmering with gold leaf. It’s inspired by the work of Erica Nordean – an amazing equine artist! This one was also a delight to create. Working large was expansive for me and really helped me express the horse!

I hope your week is going smoothly! I just returned home from Bainbridge Island, WA yesterday. The workshop with Crystal Neubauer was amazing!

She is a kind, passionate and generous teacher. I loved learning more about not only her process but the emotions, symbolism and personal meaning in her work. There is nothing better than hearing from an artist why she does the things she does in her creations.

The first day we foraged for natural elements to create our own mark making tools! We bundled up and went beach combing. Here are Robin and I out to find natural treasures!

I came back with a pretty nice stash…

It was such a delight to construct beautiful brushes to create gorgeous and unique marks with black india ink! Perfect for creating collage papers!

On the second day, we got a tour of the beautiful Wacky Nut Farm – where the workshop was being held. This beautiful location is an exclusive equine center with the most exquisite horses you’ve even seen! After just doing my Spirit Horse class, it was quite a treat to connect with these majestic animals. This is Indigo – a sweet Fresian mare. I loved her!

After our barn tour, we got right back to work. Piles of delicious collage papers awaited! Under Crystal’s lovely guidance we created all day long! She showed us wonderful techniques and composition tips too!

I came away with these collages…

Loved this workshop! A big thank you to Crystal and to our lovely host Serena who took such good care of us!

Also, if you guys haven’t already bought Crystal’s book – it’s a must!

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Hi there. I'm Ivy and Welcome to my blog! I'm an Artist , Art Instructor and Creative Guide. I believe we are all creative beings. By sharing my creative journey, I hope to inspire, uplift and shine light on others and their own unique gifts. I love featuring other artists that inspire me and you will see me posting my own creative projects, info on upcoming workshops and other goodies. Enjoy and if you have any questions don't hesistate to email me ivy@ivynewport.com